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Nespresso drinkers, myself included, tend toward total devotion, eagerly anticipating that first sip of Intenso, Melozio, Double Espresso Chiaro, or a wide array of seasonal or limited edition blends. That’s why even the slightest aberration to the daily ritual is noticeable, even it creeps up over time. If you’re noticing things like flavor loss, temperature fluctuations, machine performance, or other subtle reductions in quality, the suspect may well be mineral buildup. As ominous as that sounds, the solution can be quite simple: descaling your Nespresso machine.
The need for descaling essentially arises when limescale and other minerals from the water build up and affect the internal components of your Nespresso machine — which consequently alters the taste of the coffee and can reduce the machine’s lifespan. It’s an important process for any type of espresso machine, but fortunately, Nespresso makes it easy with online instructions and a handy two-pack descaling kit for just under $11. However, it can still be a relatively time-consuming endeavor lasting about 20 minutes.
In addition to a blinking orange light, four telltale signs indicate that your Nespresso machine needs descaling. They may crop up individually or collectively, worsening as time goes by. The more of them you notice, the more likely it is that descaling is in your immediate future. The importance of descaling your Nespresso machine can’t be underestimated, so here’s a look at each indication that your machine needs some owner/operator love.
Taste and temperature fluctuations
Minerals in water tend to dissolve when subjected to heat and pressure, which is exactly what happens inside an espresso machine, including ones made by Nespresso. We’re essentially talking about limestone, comprised of hardened calcium and various other minerals. It’s known as scale — thus the term “descale” when attempting to remove it. That scale eventually clings to the surfaces it passes over, which in this case is the inner components of a Nespresso machine.
One of the first noticeable signs of scale buildup is a change in the taste of your coffee. The Nespresso website describes this as “a dirty/burnt taste.” In my own experience, it’s been a bit more subtle than that, but still recognizable. Nespresso drinkers expect pods to maintain flavor consistency, so if the taste feels “off” or carries a metallic or bitter taste, it may be time to descale. It can also lose that heartwarming aroma of freshly brewed coffee.
The next tip-off is when your coffee feels lukewarm, of even just slightly less hot than usual. This could happen if limestone deposits are affecting the heating element inside the machine, thereby reducing the extraction heat needed for optimum coffee temperatures. Even if you pop your cup the microwave for reheating, it still won’t taste quite the same as it should, because it wasn’t extracted at the proper temperature from the beginning.
Unusual noises, sluggish extraction, and reduced volume
One of the most obvious signs of an imminent need to descale is the dreaded, slow, drip-drip-drip, into your cup. When functioning correctly, Nespresso machines deliver coffee quickly and efficiently, with no intervention or coaxing on your part. If the machine is taking longer than usual to deliver, the culprit could very likely be tubes blocked by mineral buildup. You may also notice the cup isn’t as full as usual, which could indicate the same offending minerals are preventing the machine from accurately delivering the amount of water you need.
Then there’s the noises — not ones that go bump in the night, but definitely ones that hiss, gurgle, or sputter far more than normal. It could be that water lines in the machine are clogged with — you guessed it — those same stubborn minerals that need an exorcism from your kitchen. Espresso extraction is never a totally soundless endeavor, but Nespresso machines generally don’t disrupt your moments of java zen.
To prevent all these unpleasant things from ruining your coffee nirvana, Nespresso recommends descaling machines every six months. However, if you regularly share the machine with others, or if your water is particularly hard, consider cutting that in half to a three-month descaling timeline. It’s worth noting that descaling may be different depending on whether you have an Original line or Vertuo line Nespresso machine. Be sure to check instructions based on your particular machine.
